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When to Plant Crosne in Rawlins County, KS

Crosne (Chinese artichoke) produces small, segmented white tubers with a crunchy texture and mild artichoke-nutty flavor. They are a rare delicacy in French cuisine.

Rawlins County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 1 and the first fall frost is October 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 162 days.

At an elevation of 795 feet, Rawlins County receives approximately 34.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Crosne during the growing season.

Rawlins County, KS (Zone 5b) Moderate season
162 days
Last Spring Frost May 1
162 growing days
First Fall Frost October 10

Rawlins County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Sep 26 – Oct 10
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Oct 2 – Oct 16
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Oct 14 – Oct 28

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 201 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 10/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Crosne needs ~2,669 GDD — county provides 2,470 GDD Tight fit

Crosne Planting Timeline โ€” Rawlins County, KS

Crosne Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 17 Apr 17 โ€“ May 8
Fall Sowing August 1 Aug 1 โ€“ Aug 15
Harvest September 18 Sep 18 โ€“ Oct 2

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 6" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Direct Sow
May Direct Sow
June โ€”
July โ€”
August Fall Sowing
September Harvest
October Harvest
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

150โ€“200 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 5b

Growing Season

162 days

Growing Tips for Rawlins County

Plant tubers 3 inches deep in spring. Mark the location well as plants die back. Harvest in late fall after frost. Leave some tubers in ground for next year. Very labor-intensive to harvest.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Crosne in Rawlins County, KS?

Rawlins County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 1. Plan your Crosne planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Rawlins County, KS?

Rawlins County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 1 and first fall frost is October 10.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Rawlins County gardeners in Zone 5b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Rawlins County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.